Premier League: Team of the Week – August 18/19

The Swans stopper started this season like he ended the last, proving himself to be one of the very best goalkeepers in the Premier League with another clean sheet.

Michael Laudrup will be delighted to have the Dutchman between the sticks this season, and Vorm made 11 saves in the 5-0 hammering of QPR at Loftus Road.

Branislav Ivanovic – Chelsea

The Serbian international appeared like a man possessed at Wigan on Sunday, marauding down the right flank to score his side’s first goal in the opening minutes of the game.

Ivanovic was involved in a great battle with Victor Moses throughout the match, but the fact the Latics failed to register a goal shows who had the better of proceedings in a 2-0 win.

Liam Ridgewell – West Bromwich Albion

Few would have predicted a comfortable 3-0 win for the Baggies at the start of play against Liverpool, but Steve Clarke’s side were in excellent form to keep the Reds at bay and hit them on the counter.

Ridgewell was a defensive rock for his side, helping frustrate Luis Suarez and then Andy Carroll before setting a platform with the ball to move forward and score goals.

James Collins – West Ham United

A dream second debut for Collins, who returned to the Hammers this summer from Aston Villa and delivered the goods immediately for Sam Allardyce’s side against his former club.

In a match settled by Kevin Nolan’s solitary strike, the solid performance of the back four was crucial, and Collins marshaled the defence like he’d never been away from Upton Park.

John Arne Riise – Fulham

Whilst the Fulham full-back didn’t get on the scoresheet, he played a huge part in a couple of the goals his side scored during an emphatic 5-0 victory over Norwich.

Keeping a clean sheet is always the priority for a defender, but Riise offers his side much more than that, and he showed why he’s so valuable to Martin Jol at Craven Cottage.

Samir Nasri – Manchester City

In a team packed full of stars, it was French international Samir Nasri who made the big difference when it mattered for Manchester City in their 3-2 win over newly-promoted Southampton.

Having created the first goal for Carlos Tevez, the attacking midfielder proved to be a thorn in the side of the Saints throughout, and duly scored the winner for Roberto Mancini’s men late on.

Michu – Swansea City

A stunning debut for Spanish star Michu helped Swansea City to an emphatic 5-0 win on the opening day, with the former Rayo Vallecano midfielder stealing the headlines at Loftus Road.

Having scored 15 goals for his old club in La Liga last season, this brace should not have come as a surprise, and his passing ability on the ball is also something to behond. The future looks very bright.

Santi Cazorla – Arsenal

The one true positive in Arsenal’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Sunderland at the weekend, with the Spaniard finding a number of key passes which others failed to capitalise on at the Emirates.

With top players leaving, the ex-Malaga starlet will be vital to the Gunners’ challenge for a top four finish this season, and he made a good start against the Black Cats.

Eden Hazard – Chelsea

A fantastic Premier League debut for the highly-rated Belgian international, who showed just why so many teams were chasing his signature in the summer transfer window.

The former Lille star created the first goal and won a penalty for the Blues inside ten minutes, and Roberto Di Matteo will be hoping for more of the same as the season goes on.

Mladen Petric – Fulham

Another debutant makes the team of the week, after Petric struck a brace in the emphatic 5-0 win for the Cottagers.

Whilst the striker will probably score better goals during his time in west London, these two did the job perfectly on Saturday, and took the game away from the Canaries when they still had a chance.

Jermain Defoe – Tottenham Hotspur

The England striker built on his international goal in midweek with another in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle, smashing home from close range to bring his side level.

Defoe also hit the post and led the line well for his side, who will need the striker on top form throughout this season if another forward isn’t drafted in before August 31st.

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